Part of being successful is being likable. And part of being likable is making other people feel important. One way to do that is by remembering who they are and, even better, some details about them that they shared with you. In an nutshell, remembering names and people everywhere you go has a big effect on your success.
Here are five simple ways to remember names:
- Whenever you hear a name, repeat it once—that helps fix it in your memory. Repeating the name also can confirm that you heard it correctly and that you have the correct pronunciation.
- Use it two or three times in speaking to the person you were introduced to. People love hearing the sound of their own name, and using their name in conversation will make them feel valued.
- Whenever you use the name, make a mental picture of the person, which further helps etch the name in your memory. Think of it as taking a mental snapshot of the person, and associate that image with the name.
- Write down all the new names you have come in contact with during the day. Make note of the way they were dressed and the conversation you had. Visualize again what the person looked like. If you received business cards from the people you met, write the date and where you met on the card, along with any other notes of what you learned about them.
- Review your list of names or the business cards you collected later, and recall the faces that go with the names. The better you are at visualizing the people you met, the easier it will be to connect a name to a face the next time you meet.
Try this “art of remembering” for one month. Use it for names. Use it for remembering things you want to learn. And you’ll find all names and all things simple and easy to remember.
7 responses so far ↓
1 Kelsey Ruger // Jul 8, 2009 at 10:51 am
It makes so much sense. Common sense isn’t very common is it?
2 Cathy Stucker // Jul 8, 2009 at 11:02 am
It is all pretty simple, but it takes some conscious thought. Not a lot of that around, it seems.
3 Debbie Rodgers // Jul 8, 2009 at 12:06 pm
Repetition in its various forms (using the name, writing it down, reviewing the list) is the key, absolutely. Thanks for laying it out so clearly.
4 B Smith // Jul 10, 2009 at 11:39 am
Cathy-Great advice. I have to admit this is one of my weak spots. Ask me to remember technical data or product specifications and I’m all over it. Ask me to remember someones name…that’s a different story.
Since I’m in sales (day job) it’s critical to remember names. I’ve found repetition and writing it down are critical.
One thing I would add to your list is that sometimes repeating their name (in your head and in your conversation) once or twice may not be enough. For some of us I may take 5, 10, or 15 times. People need to understand their own strengths and weaknesses and adapt advice to their situation.
5 Rumah Dijual // Jul 13, 2009 at 1:21 am
Thank you for the precious tips. Remembering customer names, the important term I’ve just realized.
6 Michelle Wicmandy // Aug 27, 2009 at 8:14 am
excellent advice. thanks for the tips!
7 ldii // Nov 28, 2009 at 12:17 am
I love your insight, really helpful. Thank you
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